THE KEY, PART I - THE PROPHECY

By the time of buying both "The Key" albums I had recently found some interest towards Neo Prog, including e.g. Arena and Pendragon, two others of keyboardist Clive Nolan's acts. I had some expectations and a special interest for a FEMALE singer. I hadn't heard Tracy Hitchings before and studying some web material made me feel very curious about this 'vamp'.

I was disappointed. "The Key I" sounds so much like a keyboard player's side project instead of a band work. There are some beautiful instrumental pieces that don't sound as fake as many of the songs where the thin instrumentation gets irritating at times. Nolan is trying to handle his keys as percussion as well, and it doesn't work well. As compositions the songs vary from disastrous to quite nice. Tracy is an interesting, dramatic singer but her style is quite narrow and reminds a bit too much of 80's hard rock. But somehow this album has its own little charm. Refreshing to listen to perhaps once a year, but no more than that.